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Theodosius Dobzhansky, a geneticist whose work influenced 20th century research on evolutionary theory, said, "Nothing in biology makes sense, except in light of evolution." This quote emphasizes the role of evolution as the most important unifying principle in biology. Living things might, at first, seem very diverse, but closer inspection reveals a surprising unity. This unity, or common ancestry, can be explained by evolutionary theory. With such an important theory at stake, it is essential to understand the evidence upon which it is based.
The Task In this Evolution WebQuest you will investigate a variety of types of evidence for evolution. Your team will be responsible for learning about fossil evidence, structural evidence, and genetic evidence for evolution and presenting this information to the class.
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|| The Process
1.You will be assigned a "specialty" area to focus your work. Either anatomy and physiology, paleontology, and molecular biology.
2.Review the sites that apply to your specialty.
3.Find four to five examples of evidence for evolution. Try to find specific examples, so that when you add to the class wiki you will all have different examples to share. Also, try to find the date on which the evidence was discovered.
4.The recommended sites are just examples. Feel free to search for your own.
The Product: Add ONE unique (no one else has mentioned) piece of evidence to the wiki page from your specialty area. Be sure to sign your name in the history log box.
Evidence for Evolution WebQuest
Theodosius Dobzhansky, a geneticist whose work influenced 20th century research on evolutionary theory, said, "Nothing in biology makes sense, except in light of evolution." This quote emphasizes the role of evolution as the most important unifying principle in biology. Living things might, at first, seem very diverse, but closer inspection reveals a surprising unity. This unity, or common ancestry, can be explained by evolutionary theory. With such an important theory at stake, it is essential to understand the evidence upon which it is based.
The Task In this Evolution WebQuest you will investigate a variety of types of evidence for evolution. Your team will be responsible for learning about fossil evidence, structural evidence, and genetic evidence for evolution and presenting this information to the class.
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||
The Process
1.You will be assigned a "specialty" area to focus your work. Either anatomy and physiology, paleontology, and molecular biology.
2.Review the sites that apply to your specialty.
3.Find four to five examples of evidence for evolution. Try to find specific examples, so that when you add to the class wiki you will all have different examples to share. Also, try to find the date on which the evidence was discovered.
4.The recommended sites are just examples. Feel free to search for your own.
Anatomists • Evidence Supporting Biological Evolution (see "Common Structures") • How Scientists Study Evolution (search for "Evolution," click on "How Scientists Study Evolution," and look for "Anatomical Similarities") • What Is Morphology and Why Is It Important? • Fossils Can Show How Certain Features Evolved • It's a Bird, It's a Dinosaur? • Dunking the Trunk (search for "Dunking the Trunk")
Molecular Biologists • Evolution Makes Sense of Homologies • Axing the Family Tree • Evidence of Evolution • Chemical Clues to Darwin's Abominable Mystery • Salvaged DNA Leads to Neanderthals' Mystique
Paleontologists • Fossils Can Show How Certain Features Evolved • Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ • Mother of All Mammals (search for "Andre Wyss" and "Andrew Knoll") • Shaking the Family Tree • Evolution Makes Sense of Homologies • The Nature of Fossils • Dating Fossils • Getting into the Fossil Record
The Product: Add ONE unique (no one else has mentioned) piece of evidence to the wiki page from your specialty area. Be sure to sign your name in the history log box.
Adapted from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson3/act2.html